Imagine diving into a classic novel amid the roaring chaos of an NBA arena—talking about the ultimate multitasker who captured everyone's imagination!
Sarah Todd reports on the NBA and Utah Jazz beats for the Deseret News. This piece originally appeared in the Jazz Insiders newsletter (sign up at https://pages.deseret.com/newsletters/jazz-insiders to get it delivered straight to your inbox every Friday).
During the Utah Jazz's NBA Cup matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder last Friday at the Delta Center, something unusual caught my attention from across the court. In the family section—right by the players' locker room tunnel where spouses and kids typically cheer—I spotted a woman deeply absorbed in her own world. My vision isn't the sharpest from that distance, so her face remained a blur, but her focus was impossible to ignore.
And this is the part most people miss... She wasn't glued to the fast-paced action on the hardwood. Instead, this lady had a hefty novel open on her lap, tuning out the massive crowd of almost 20,000 fans. The explosive cheers after big plays, the boos during tough moments, the blasting music, and the arena announcer's booming voice? None of it fazed her one bit. It was like she built an invisible bubble of calm in the heart of basketball frenzy.
Curiosity got the best of me—who was this reading warrior, and what gripping tale had her hooked? Post-game sleuthing in the locker room paid off big time. Turns out, it was Verna, wife of Jazz star Lauri Markkanen. Lauri hopped on FaceTime with her, and she proudly revealed her companion: Leo Tolstoy's timeless Russian masterpiece, Anna Karenina. For beginners dipping into classics, think of it as an epic 800+ page journey through 19th-century Russia, packed with romance, scandal, family drama, and profound questions about society—perfect "light" reading for a high-stakes game, right?
Talk about a soulmate in literary tastes—what an icon! But here's where it gets controversial... Is immersing yourself in Tolstoy amid NBA pandemonium a genius way to recharge, or does it scream 'disengaged fan'? Verna, a mom of three, seized a rare child-free Friday evening. Not only did she show up to cheer on her hubby, but she carved out precious personal time too—proof that supporting your partner doesn't mean sacrificing your passions.
As a literature enthusiast who's spent years studying books but now lives and breathes basketball journalism, I've long seen hoops as my top art form. Picture this: the court delivers poetry in motion, raw drama with soaring dunks and heartbreaking misses, graceful teamwork leading to triumphant highs or crushing lows. It mirrors the best stories—full of comedy in flashy highlights, tragedy in buzzer-beaters gone wrong, fiery passion, deep camaraderie (like love stories between teammates), intense rivalries (hello, violence in hard fouls), and unyielding discipline under pressure. That's precisely why covering the NBA feels like crafting art itself.
Then, that electric Friday night at the Delta Center flipped the script for me. Surrounded by the game's elegant athleticism and narrative flair, Verna escaped into her own realm of Tolstoy's tragic romance and philosophical depth. It hit me: every single one of those 20,000 attendees was weaving their personal tale or sparking fresh memories right there. On a hot date sparking romance? Cherishing laughs with buddies or family? Witnessing NBA magic for the very first time (pure wide-eyed wonder!)? Or maybe the 100th visit, still buzzing with excitement? Sampling arena concessions like loaded nachos or craft beers? Rallying for a loved one on the roster? Even cracking open a book—every moment wove into one grand, vibrant tapestry of human connection in that arena.
New Jazz Highlights
From the Vault
Bonus Notes
- Ace Bailey keeps building confidence and rhythm with the Jazz squad (Deseret News: https://www.deseret.com/sports/2025/11/24/ace-bailey-finding-footing-utah-jazz/).
- Keyonte George's poise shines through in the tough loss to the Lakers (Deseret News: https://www.deseret.com/sports/2025/11/23/final-play-utah-jazz-loss-los-angeles-lakers-analysis-keyonte-george/).
- Coach Will Hardy pushes player growth without compromising the team's winning mindset (Deseret News: https://www.deseret.com/sports/2025/11/17/utah-jazz-coach-will-hardy-development-winning-culture/).
League Buzz
- OKC's Jalen Williams gears up for his 2025-26 season debut versus the Suns after wrist surgery recovery (https://www.espn.com/nba/story//id/47121220/sources-thunder-jalen-williams-make-debut-vs-suns).
- Celtics snap the Pistons' impressive 13-game winning streak, with Detroit's Cade Cunningham dropping 42 points (https://www.espn.com/nba/story//id/47113733/celtics-halt-pistons-win-streak-13-cunningham-42).
- Check the latest NBA Cup standings and game outcomes (https://www.nba.com/nba-cup/2025/standings).
Upcoming Schedule
- Nov. 28 | 7:30 p.m. MST | Utah Jazz vs. Sacramento Kings | KJZZ
- Nov. 30 | 1 p.m. MST | Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets | KJZZ
- Dec. 1 | 7 p.m. MST | Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets | KJZZ
- Dec. 4 | 5:30 p.m. MST | Utah Jazz @ Brooklyn Nets | KJZZ
- Dec. 5 | 5:30 p.m. MST | Utah Jazz @ New York Knicks | KJZZ
So, what do you think—does blending Tolstoy with tip-offs elevate the arena experience, or should game nights be all-in on the action? Drop your take in the comments: Team Bookworm or Team Full Focus? Let's debate!
